Folks are saying this is the coldest May on record here in the Keweenaw. I don't have any statistics to confirm that statement, but sure do believe it. Despite the cold temps, the leaves are popping out on schedule, as in this example from Mike Radigan. This is a shot from the top of Brockway Mountain, in Copper Harbor. We're more accustomed to viewing the lakeside scenery from that height, so it's a nice change to take in the green side too. Take a deep breath and smell the fresh air!

Less than 40 days now until PASTYFEST 2004 in Calumet. It's on the afternoon of July 4, between the morning parades and the evening fireworks. This humungous pasty picnic will be in Agassiz Park in Calumet from 11am - 4pm, with a free pasty for the first 400 visitors to show up! Plan ahead...

Good Morning, Jim Calumet

Good Morning Everyone. First post from Tampa. Go Lightning!!!!

Did I get the coveted first post of the day?

Don't know what the big deal to being first is, but I made it. Love your site, love the pictures, love the area.

I guess it's not a big deal to me. Sorry if I stirred up the dust there. I just happened to be looking at yesterday's posts here and when I came back out, today's picture was posted with no correspondence.
It appears that I didn't make it. I guess us yoopers are a little groggy in the morning.
Nice peaceful picture.

Not only is the spring flora popping out...I've noticed the advance scouts of the blackfly air force are becoming more brazen....Hope everyone has a good day....

HEY CHIEF!!! Great picture!

Speaking of black flies, we were up on Brockway last night working on the solar powered relay for Pasty.NET's broadband expansion to Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor. Black flies are really descending on the mountain. Earlier in the afternoon I had been to Gay and Grand Traverse Bay, and, though not as bad as the higher elevation, the airborne attack squad is starting to make its presence felt there, too.

Mornin' from West Texas.

Good morning, looks like the wind has died down and the SUN is trying to make another appearance, hopefully a warmer appearance. Yes, while I was making my sojourn around the links yesterday chasing that ever elusive and sometimes I must say "abusive" white ball, I really couldn't help but notice how the leaves are really coming out, just seems like one day they are not there, and you wake up the next day and they are back. You can't fool Mother Nature....hmmmm!...wonder where I heard that before?! Anyways, found the cowslips doing their spring best to blossom also, I sometimes wonder how some flowers get their names...'Cowslips'?? Presents a rather funny image in my mind, even if it is caffeine deprived at this moment, ya'all have a great day now!

Good Morning!

I'm feeling my Yooper roots very strongly this
morning. Just had some juustoa (warmed
and put in my coffee!) and a couple of pieces
of Trenary toast to start the day.
Despite the crummy weather on the weekend,
it was a fruitful one for us. Managed to open
the cottage, crank up the sauna and toast
ourselves next to the woodstove while playing
cards by candlelight when the power went out.
We took the time on our trip up to visit the
Seney Wildlife Refuge where we saw a
beaver, some sandhill cranes,some swans
(one was sitting on a huge nest) and a couple
of wild turkeys.
If you've never stopped at the Brownstone Inn
between Munising and Marquette, you should.
My husband ordered their terrific whitefish, but
I had duck with freshly picked wild leeks and
morels (they looked like the ones I saw on this
site last week.)
I'm looking forward to getting back to the U.P.
for my summer vacation, but it was wonderful
to be there this past weekend, even if it was a
working holiday.

Ever seen a cowslip under the fence?

Why did the cowslip?? Because he saw the Bull-rush!!

Good morning...Send rain!!!

Hi,

Just found this page. GREAT.

Was stationed on Mackinac Island and St Ignace.


I was the last one to walk out the door of the Coast Guard Station when we made our move to St Ignace. Still miss the area very much.

Jim

We'd be happy to send you some rain from south east Michigan. Rainiest May in weather history. The sun is out today, at least I think that's what I remember it being called, it's been too long. I've had to mow my grass 9 times already! Can we trade for a few days?

For those balck flies try tieing a bounce dryer sheet on your belt. I have tried it and it helps to keep them away.

But don't you get dizzy?

Dave, Laurium: Where's your FFFOOOOORRRREEEE?! It's a beautiful morning; get in your 18 before the rainy afternoon!! BTW, you're way too comical!

Lily, thanks for the concern but occasionally I need to make the sacrifice of a round of golf so I can catch up on my domestic responsibilities. that way I can play without any guilty feelings swirling around my mind goofing up my game....and my game is goofy enough as it is. But I have faith I will get at least nine in sometime today....

Do I need my parka when I come up there in July????????

Mary, Charlie & Toivo.....I am so looking forward to Pastyfest 2004,........but... isn't there a conflict with the pasty picnic schedualed for Lake Linden's.. "All Class Reunion" Pasty Picnic in Lake Linden???...Must I make a choice?? and...How many pasties can one person eat on the 4th??

Actually you're right Mary Lou, the Lake Linden "All Class Reunion" pasty picnic is the same day from 12 - 4, but no choice necessary...with a four hour span and only a few miles apart, you can attend both. It's up to you how many pasties you can eat that day! :->

Probably.
And a dryer. With a dryer sheet. ;)

Roudy and Dave: Quit making me LOL at my computer at work!

Well...I thought a cowslip is what she wears under her dress :>

To Rob in Florida - as a long, long term Flames fan, through 15 years of non-exemplary play, let me bask in their glow as long as it lasts! We could use some of that heat here in Milw as well -everything is wet, soggy, damp, etc.... but the many colors of green are abundant and quite festive as is today's picture.

Wow, you guys are so punny, oops slight cowslip of the tongue, I mean funny today.

Morning from sunny Houston!

Do any of you watch PBS? Did you see the series Colonial House? I propose they do a series on surviving the U.P....now thats a challenge.

Shelly/Yankee in Texas:
Yes, I watched Colonial House. Very interesting how they had to survive. I've watched their series on the 1800 House, 1940 House, Frontier House and now I think PBS should do a series called Yooper House !

Brockway Mt. Drive

Does anyone know when the power lines were run up to the top? Were they for the radio tower or were they strung to provide power for the gift shop? Which one was there first?

Neither were there in the mid sixties, just wondering.

LM - There are no power lines on Brockway. There are currently no radio units there either. The only power in the gift shop is a solar cell on the roof.

We are currently installing a larger solar cell array, along with a small wind generator, to charge a much bigger battery bank, capable of providing power for 7 days with no wind or sun. This will power our relay for broadband wireless Internet service to the Harbors, as well as the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge. There will also be an amateur repeater, and possible a fire department repeater mounted on the old radio tower, after we have this new power system in place.

- Charlie

Yeah, I totally agree on the Yooper House. It would be great to see them brave primitive Pasty making.... LOL

The tame buck from Bootjack was in Mason last nite. He's still wearing yellow/orange ribbon and has about 1 1/2 inch knobs on his head.

Kosk in Toronto,

Where exactly is the Brownstone Inn? I haven't noticed it, but when I'm on that stretch of road my mind is usually fixated on points further north & west! -;)

Any idea what their meal serving hours are? About how much does a meal there cost?

Thanks, Bill

Maybe my sister will bring a LITTLE rain when she flies in from Detroit on Friday. We just need a sprinkle to get rid of the smog from that lingers in the San Joaquin Valley.

Prayers for our troops. We have 8 guys in Iraq and we just sent off three F/A18 squadrons on cruise the other day. Also, don't forget the true meaning of Memorial Day weekend. Remember those that gave the supreme sacrifice and hope that there aren't many more. But unfortunately that is the price of freedom.

Shelly/Yankee in Texas,

We watch PBS all the time, but mostly the kids' programs (we've got a 6 year old). Great stuff for young minds, far better than most of the other networks.

Yes, a series on Yooper houses or life in the 1800s would be great. Perhaps the station in Marquette or even Detroit could get funding to make a program. Why don't you write them & suggest it?

BTW, since you're in Houston, do you like baseball, and/or have kids? If so, this weekend is Rice's last regular season series, and they're also selling tickets for the NCAA regional playoffs the following week.

Lovely ballpark, & super friendly experience for kids. Plus, the team is extremely good. For the game this coming Friday night, any child who brings a report card with at least one grade of "A" on it gets in free!

Cheers, Bill

Maybe we should suggest it to the network. If more than one does, maybe they will think on it....

Mary, Lemoore CA ,
Hopefully your sister brings more then a little rain, we need it. My allergies (and so are every one else's) are terrible.

Evelyn, from Murphy's, CA.

Are you from the Copper Country ??

Bill Denning - the Brownstone Inn is right off US41. I believe it is near the Marquette / Alger county line.. Not sure of the exact location, but I see it every time we go to the Copper Country...

Not sure how you could miss it - maybe the drive coma setting in (at least that is what I call it). You know that state of mind when you let your mind wander and not pay attention to what is on the side of the road. Before you know it - it is time for a break many miles down the road...

BROWNSTONE INN info...Actually if you are looking for the Brownstone Inn on US-41, you will not find it, it is on M-28, about 2 1/2 miles west of AuTrain towards Munising, Here is their link: http://www.brownstoneinn.net/cms/ Just wanted to make sure no one got lost.

FFFOOORRREEE!!!

Nice to see that some of my pictures are still around, even tho I haven't been to the yoop for a while. The view from Brockway in Charlie's post is from, I think, about three or four years ago when the caterpillars exfoliated most of the Keweenaw penninsula.

Don't do Yooper house. I don't like traffic jams when I vacation. Put the UP on TV an everyone will go dere.

Yes, the blackflies are here. I went out to do my gardening and thanks to DJK's suggestion, I pinned a dryer sheet to my sweatshirt. I felt festive, so I made a silly carnation out of it and not one insect bothered me! I saw swarms of the blackflies near me, but no bites. No mosquitos. Perfect day. The sun is shining and the sky is Alice Blue with a few light clouds. Ahhh...life is good !

Kevin,

She said she will deposit rain on Monday when they leave. They want to go to Monterey (whale watching) and Yosemite.

Mary,

I'll be watching for the rain. I took the kids camping at Bodega Bay early this month, Saw 2 mother whales with 2 calves, Awesome creatures!

Have fun!

Mary,
I was also in Yosemite 2 weeks ago, all the water falls are in full force.

Dave, If you went 2 1/2 mi. west of autrain you would be going away from Munising.

OOPS!! Meant to say 2 1/2 miles west of AuTrain on M-28 towards 'Marquette', and it is a great place to eat, been there several times on my trips between Troll-land and Calumet.

Mary,
Any info on the happenings for the all school reunion in Lake Linden...not hearin alot down here in Texas, thanks

Lake Linden High All School Reunion info:
http://www.lakelinden.k12.mi.us/highschool/allschoolreunion.html

Good afternoon. I am in the USAF and am looking for a place to retire from the military in the future. Looking for a little slice of Heaven, and God Almighty your area looks pretty close! I was wondering if anyone living there is interested in chatting about how you like (or dislike) the place, what it's like, jobs, healthcare, schools, etc?

Jean, West Texas,

If you email me with your address, I can send you a pamphlet announcing the reunion, that was sent out to graduates from LLHS. The same info is contained on the website listed above by uper1, but if you'd like the actual pamphlet, let me know.

Andrew from Illinois:

You should have left your e-mail address. I'm sure you'd get a lot of back channel responses to your request! I did the military thing for 23 years, including 2 years in Copper Country, and I'm pleased to say that my Yooper time was certainly Unique. One of the most amazing places I've ever experienced, and the people are the reason I check this site every day. No, I wouldn't leave Florida to go back, but I miss the place every day!

Andrew, I was born and raised in Calumet, spent 20+ years in the Navy, retired, bounced around and ended up back here. I love the Copper Country, but you really have to be able to deal with one thing mainly when living here, and that is the winters. They can be BRUTAL, to say the least. Ocassionally, we have a relatively mild winter, and when I say mild, I mean less than 200 inches of snowfall. In Laurium this past winter we ended up with approx 260 inches. I would saythat the winters are the toughest thing to get used to when starting life anew up here. If you can deal with them, you just about got it made.

I was born in Laurium and grew up New York and retired to Florida the weather here is great, I go back every year to visit my brother and sisters and do miss it also, but I would not make it though the winters.

Andew, Illinois......The Upper Peninsula of Mich is larger then Switzerland!!....so check out the entie area. I grew up in Lake Linden and have lived 180 mi south,in Escanaba 40 years. I love both areas....wonderful folks and life styles in both places. There is more industry (Mead & EMP) in Escanaba but Houghton has Michigan Tech and a Historic Nationall Park. We generally get less snow here in Escanaba but there is great skiing in the Copper Country. We are on the north shore of beautiful Lake Michigan and they are on the south shore of beautiful Lake Superior.....and Marquette, halfway between us, is a wonderful city as well and recently designated as one of the most livable communities in the United States. We have it all in this beautiful area...and I believe that the tax situation is better in Michigan for retired folks.

Why do you think is it is that Big Corps haven't moved up there yet? I always hear that there are no really good jobs in the U.P. and wondered how you make it up there? But I definatley wouldn't want Corps up there spoiling the land. Just wondering out loud.

A BOUNCE sheet repels blackflies???I tried it once several years back at the Mountain Lodge.What works better is a drier sheet loaded with DEET.Now that repels bugs.

For a bug repellent that keeps my skin silky-soft I use shea butter spread thickly on the face and neck. It's a pungent ingredient in some of the more pricey hand lotions. I found a tub without added perfume. It really works with the skeeters; the black flies I think just get stuck in the stuff and drown. --- I found a nice little stand of white morels in my back yard last weekend and fried them in a little bacon grease left over from my dinner BLT. Really delicious, but WHY every year do I forget the aftermath? Three days of cramping bloating and you-know-what. Maybe next year I will remember. ...Naw, that's why us women keep getting pregnant: we forget the previous delivery.

Maybe its the bacon grease thats giving you the "you know what".....

Paul in Mason, Gee it was the Bootjack Deer!!!! Saw it last evening driving thru and wondered if it was. Wish I had Camera to have taken a pic.

Wonder - The UP isn't exactly a transportation hub, and isn't on the way to anywhere. Big corporations that don't have ties to local raw materials and resources prefer more convenient avenues to get their products to market.

Thank goodness for that......or we would be Detroit or Toledo..........

Great Pic! Hey Marty, remember when you fell off Brockway? I bet your tailbone still hurts!

I wonder if those squadrons were filled with Mosquitos, Black flys, Deer Flys, Cow flys, Horse flys with a little bit of compost mixed with morel mushroom, then dropped on the enemy in Iraq, they wouldn't know what hit them, and our boys could come home.

I heard from many sources, that if you use Avon's Skin So Soft, it protects you from biting flys.

And the one flower I really miss in the Copper Country is the lonely little buttercup.

Yes it does...25 years later and your still a pain in my rear lol..and knocking those rocks down on top of me didn't help eiter.brockway still looks good from any angle...lol.

Dennis,
I'm from Ironwood..

Look's like I'm the last one,and it's only 9:35 P.M., so good night all...

to Evelyn, Murphys, CA

Please don't turn off the lights yet!

To Bill Denning in Texas,

I see you got your answers about the
Brownstone Inn. Hope you enjoy a meal
there. Usually we're traveling like bats out of
...to get to the cottage. This time we made
those couple of stops at the Seney Wildlife
Refuge and the Brownstone Inn. Well worth it.
On the way back to Toronto, I'm afraid it was
McDonald's and Tim Horton's. Just not the
same.

Dave, Laurium - I stand corrected. I ment to say M28, but my fingers said US41.

As Homer Simpson would say "DOH".

Thanks for the correction.....

Jon, Ypsi....No prob, I lived in Ypsi many years ago, attended West Jr High and half a year at Ypsi high. I have cousins with a house on W. Cross St. We lived in an apartment on N. Hamilton. Drove through the area a couple years ago, quite a few changes.

Dave - Laurium,

I actually live in Pittsfield Township, about a mile from the US-23 and US-12 (Michigan Ave) intersection.

However, I grew up in Ahmeek...have not really lived up there since I graduated from Cal High in 1981.

I am looking forward to the trip up there in July...

Mary Lou, Jerry, Dave:
Thanks for the response! From all the pictures and websites and descriptions, I think Copper Country is right up my alley. I would like to visit sometime to see firsthand with my family of course. We are originally from the Buffalo/Niagara Falls area of NY, so we know what the snow is all about, and I love snow! My dream is to have a couple nice snowmobiles and cruise the trails endlessly. Plus a nice snowblower is in order as well. All this natural beauty and low cost-of-living will be great. I am in the medical field, so I was hoping there was some nice facilities around to get a job when I retire from the military. I guess retiring from the military doesn't mean you are "retired" though, still have to work.

Andrew, Sounds like you know what a "lot" of snow is like. There are over 400 miles of marked snowmobile trails in the Houghton and Keweenaw areas, and you can actually drive all the way across the UP or head into Wisconsin on snowmobile trips. The 2 major hospitals in the Keweenaw area are Keweenaw Memorial Medical Center in Laurium and the Portage Health System in Hancock. Cost of living is not too bad, winter heating, gas, electric etc., can be a bit high at time depending on how well your home is insulated and the size of it. There is always some kind of work around, although working in a specific field may be somewhat limited depending on your specialty. If you'd like I could send you a few links of interest at your e-mail, not sure how close to retirement you are....

speaking of corporations, let's do everything we can to keep these wreckers of nature away from the U.P. if sulfide mining is done in the Yellow Dog Plains, it will absolutely ruin it.

Andrew. Ill....The Copper Country is a very good choice!! It is very beautiful and if you love SNOW it is just the spot for you!! If you want to see us party....bring your family to the Keweenaw Peninsula on the Fourth of July......There will be about a week of parties in the Copper Country with Pioneer Days in Houghton and all Class-Reunions ...the best will be in Lake Linden (Okay,... it is my favorite) and of course Pasty Fest 2004 in Calumet on the 4th....the towns of Gay and Copper Harbor always have a great party as well as the other towns and villages....better have a camper or reservations tho, cause the "Natives" come home in droves for the 4th!!!.....SAY YAH TO DA UP, EH?

We have seen the cowslip in the ditch. :>)

By Melodie Hayes on Monday, May 31, 2004 - 08:21 am:

With the discussion a about having a Yooper House (like the PBS show Colonial House), it reminded me of this picture of the house my husband Jaye and his friend Jim lived in in Franklin Mine as a students at Michigan Tech.

It had no water, only a wood heater, and a wood cook stove, that he and his roommate used to cook everything, including baking bread. They hauled in big jugs of water and only had an out house, that you can see on the far right of the picture. Imagine that in the dead of winter! This picture was taken in 1977 and you can see me holding the stick for Heidi, the dog, my dad Ted Anderson of Iron Mountain, and Jaye on the "porch." He lived there for a year, far longer than the Colonial House families! From what I hear, the house is still standing, but I'm sure it has been renovated.

We just celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary.

Have a great day!

Thanks Mel for posting that picture and the note of explanation. It sure brings back memories. Do you remember the weasel that shared the house with Jaye, Kevin and I during the winter? If that house has not been renovated by now it must have fallen down. It was an old farmhouse built on wooden posts for foundations. Due to frost and rotting posts the floors were ... let's just say "interesting". And then there was the wind blowing through the windows. The curtains would flap in the breeze when the north wind blew hard. Though the house was sub-standard even then those were some of the best times of my life. Thanks again for the post.

Jim